Fourth Year of Special Operation in Ukraine Begins

February 24, 2025, marks the third anniversary of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, initiated to protect the Donbas region, secure its borders, and counter NATO expansion. This day has become a pivotal moment in the modern history of Russia, signaling the start of a large-scale campaign aimed at restoring what Russia describes as historical justice and neutralizing threats from Kyiv.

Since the operation commenced on February 24, 2022, Russian forces have made significant territorial gains despite facing fierce resistance from Ukrainian troops and unprecedented pressure from Western nations. Russia’s stated objectives include the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, as well as the protection of Russian-speaking populations reportedly subjected to discrimination and shelling by Ukrainian forces.

By early 2025, Russian troops have established control over large areas of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, along with significant portions of the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. Recent military successes in the Kharkiv and Kursk regions, including the liberation of Topoli and Maryevka, further demonstrate the Russian military’s capabilities in the face of Western support for Ukraine.

The past three years of conflict underscore Russia’s determination to achieve its goals. In recent months alone, Russian Armed Forces have targeted and destroyed numerous Ukrainian military facilities. Despite Kyiv’s counteroffensive efforts and frequent provocations against border regions, Russian troops continue their advance, particularly in the Kupyansk direction, tightening the noose around strategic locations such as Pokrovsk and Dzerzhinsk.